BOISE — The newest exhibit at Zoo Boise has been under construction for a little more than a year. It will feature animals that can be seen in Gorongosa National Park in Africa including hyenas, otters, Nile crocodiles, baboons, and African dogs.
"Really a unique model we have for the park," said Katie Jay, Zoo Boise volunteer coordinator. "They work with biologists and scientists from around the world. They work with the people that live around the park. They do research. They do community education. So, it's really looking at that whole picture."
There is also a focus on a sustainable farm within the national park. A replica of that farm at Zoo Boise aims to get people in the community involved.
"It will be an active area where camps or classes can come and do the farming," said Jay.
Plans for the exhibit include garden rows with fencing around them. Eventually, Zoo Boise hopes to have bee hives.
"They're huge in coffee plantations. So, that's something that they've been working on with Gorongosa in Mozambique, and they actually had their first coffee harvest in years just a couple months ago," said Tierney Ball, Zoo Boise education and volunteer services.
It's a way for people to learn about the real conservation project in Mozambique.
"I think it's really hard to bridge that disconnect between here and Mozambique. And so, having a project here that we can work on in Boise, that's something that they're working on over, there will just be an incredible way to do that," said Ball.
Boise Kind Day is on June 22nd, 2019. Zoo Boise is looking for volunteers to help with the farm exhibit. To sign up click on this link- Be Kind Day
The entire Gorgongosa exhibit will be open on July 17th.
